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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A composition written for nine instruments.






2. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






3. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






4. A short light musical drama.






5. A direction to play lively and fast.






6. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






7. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






8. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






9. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






10. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






11. The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line.






12. Repetition of a single tone.






13. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






14. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






15. The first violin in an orchestra.






16. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






17. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






18. A symbol indicating to play loud.






19. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






20. To shift to another key.






21. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






22. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






23. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






24. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






25. A group singing in unison.






26. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






27. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






28. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






29. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






30. A repeated phrase.






31. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






32. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






33. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






34. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






35. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






36. A composition written for eight instruments.






37. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






38. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






39. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






40. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






41. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






42. The movement of chords in succession.






43. Suite of Baroque dances.






44. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






45. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






46. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






47. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






48. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






49. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






50. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.